Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-11-05
GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPH.
Senator CulIom Tells How y Should
be Done.
lie Would Not Dicker with Jay Gould, But
Go Ahead and Construct a New system

WASHINGTON, Oct. 80 Senator Cullom
has arrived in Washington. The sienat6r
strongly favors Governmental control OF
The telegraphy, He says he has been in
favor Of a graph for years,
but ever since he reached conclusion on
thc subject his time and mind in the SeG'
ate have been so engrossed with the Inter-
State Commerce bill that he could not 90 |
INTO other matters in which he was almost |
as much interested. Now that l |
nave that bill Off my shouIdcrs,'
continued the Senator II shall do
what can to urge u Government or postal
telegraph bill on the Senate, and il no one
else will introduce bii! will draft and
introduce one myself. The subject has
been already before the Committee on
Pos,-ofti:cs aud postroads. It is possible
that the prospect of permanent rival lines,
which seemed SO fair when the Baltimore
and Ohlo constructed its system, led some
whow re III favor of such measure into
a temporary condition Of indifference. If
| 50, there can no longer Oe any excuse for
| Indifference. The entire telegraph system OF
the country is practically controlled by one
man. Telegraph communication is at his
mercy. the bus ness and commercial Sc
crets of the whole country are at his COM.
| mand He can send the business ther-
mometer up or down at will. 1t is surely
high time to take steps to place contr4l OF
| the telegraph system in the hands OF the
people, | would not attempt 20 bargain
with Jay Gould or any other man for tho
purchase of lines already built.
The Government should construct
is own system. 1t would be atvi'-
abe, presume, to place it in control OF
tho POstotiice Department. ! believe the
Senate is fully ieadv for the question, and
that such bill. If Introduced, would pas!
. without serious opposition, In view OF th'
history of telegraph ownerships in th'
United States, and In view Of recent occur
| rcnces | really don't see how any ont
-, could show good reason why Gov-rnmen
| telegraph should not be constructed a
, soon as possible But haven't thc loas
! | doubt that the legislation necessary 70
! | the work will be enacted within tire
: months II has not yet Genn detcrmiue'
>. by the administration what, II any, re
Communications shall be made by Congress
4 respecting telegraph matters. 1t is known
i however, that the subject is being careful
!. ly considered with view 20 detcrmin..
b. what policy will be best TO opursne. 1t i
stated here by pc sons who are in pnsitjo
70 know whereof they speak that a stron
effort is bang made by newspaper srl
dicaie To purchase the plant OF the Unite
J. Lines for their own use The paper
/ which are to form the syndicate, it is a
Z legged, now pay an aggregate OF more tha
y million dollars annually for tclcgrap
y service. Il is understood that the syn
IS cate will be- composed of strong journal
l. in New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati
l. Chicago and st. Louis, and II. il the pul
n chase is made, construction vii! be at on
begun with 4 view to taking in the Pacit
Coast and principal southern points.